9/11 Victims from Somerset County Honored During Somerville Ceremony

By TAP INTO SOMERVILLE STAFF

September 11, 2019 at 3:56 PM

Content Options

8:46 a.m., 9/11/2019, 18 years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in lower Manhattan.8:46 a.m., 9/11/2019, 18 years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in lower ...Credits: Rod Hirsch

Somerset County Deputy Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh reads the names of the 39 victims from Somerset County who perished in the terrorist attack on 9/11.Somerset County Deputy Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh reads the names of the 39 victims from ...Credits: Rod Hirsch

Somerville firefighters display the American flag during Tuesday's 9/11 ceremony in Somerville.Somerville firefighters display the American flag during Tuesday's 9/11 ceremony in Somerville. Credits: Rod Hirsch

The Somerset County Police Pipes & Drums performed “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful” during the 9/11 ceremonies.The Somerset County Police Pipes & Drums performed “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful” ...Credits: Rod Hirsch

A memorial wreath was placed in front of the 9/11 clock tower in Somerville during Tuesday's ceremony.A memorial wreath was placed in front of the 9/11 clock tower in Somerville during Tuesday's ...Credits: Rod Hirsch

Never Forget: Sept. 11th, 2019, 18 years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in lower Manhattan. The 9/11 Memorial Clock monument in Somerville marks the time.Never Forget: Sept. 11th, 2019, 18 years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center ...Credits: Rod Hirsch

By TAP INTO SOMERVILLE STAFF

September 11, 2019 at 3:56 PM

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Freeholder Director Brian D. Levine, held a ceremony marking the 18thanniversary of 9/11 at the county’s memorial clock tower, located on the corner of Main and Bridge streets.

“I am saddened that we have to gather on this occasion, but I am heartened that we take it upon ourselves to remember and pay tribute to the victims of this noxious act,” Levine said. “We also remember those police, firefighters, first aid workers and emergency service professionals who gave their time, their health and their very lives so others may endure.

“Extreme circumstances were driven home to us by the terrible tragedy. Let us all, collectively and individually, go forward and never forget…to remember,” he added.

At 8:46 a.m. – the time when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center – the bell at the top of the nearby historic Somerset County Courthouse tolled five times, marking the beginning of the program.

Speakers included Somerset County Surrogate Frank Bruno, who recounted the events of that fateful morning, state Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16th), Levine and County Clerk Steve Peter, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors and members of the Somerset County Police Pipes & Drums performed “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.”

Members of the Freeholder Board then read the names of the 39 Somerset County residents killed in the attacks.

Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia L. Walsh and Freeholder Sara Sooy placed a wreath in front of the clock tower, followed by a moment of silence. A second brief bell-tolling concluded the program.

On display at the base of the memorial clock tower, were commemorative rocks that had been painted in 2016 and donated by Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 60151 in Franklin Township. The Somerville Fire Department participated by parking three fire engines, including one from Central Hook & Ladder No. 1 with the American flag on the display, near the memorial clock tower.

From Washington, central New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th, issued the following statement:

"On this day 18 years ago nearly 3,000 people were taken from us in the September 11th terror attacks. In the 7th district of New Jersey, where so many commute into New York, many of us lost family, friends or neighbors.

"These attacks showed us the worst side of humanity, but we continue to find hope in the bravery of those who responded to the crisis: the police officers, firemen, and first responders who ran into the chaos and stayed for days and months afterwards to ensure our recovery, and our men and women in uniform who took the fight to the terrorists.

"One of my proudest moments this Congress was co-sponsoring and ultimately voting for the permanent authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. It should not have taken 15 years to get done, but this bill will ensure that those who risked everything have the care and support they deserve.

"September 11th changed the world forever. Billions of dollars since then have rightly been spent to secure our nation from foreign terrorist threats, so that we never have to endure that sense of loss again.

"Today the fight continues as we adapt to new threats from extremists both foreign and domestic. I am fighting every day in Congress to make sure our government agencies acknowledge these threats and are fully funded to fight back.

"During our country’s darkest time, we came together as a nation. Let us never lose sight of what unites us."

BRIDGEWATER, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have acquried right-handed Taylor Wright in a trade with the Evansville Otters (Frontier League) for future considerations. He is active for tonight’s game against the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Wright enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 6’5” righty spent his first professional season this year with the ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have acquried right-handed Taylor Wright in a trade with the ...

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - South Brunswick Girl Scouts will be hosting an event to collect presents for children who are hospitalized on their birthdays at the East Brunswick Service Center on Church Lane on September 15th. Guests will be asked to bring donations such as toys, games and clothes for birthday bags that will be delivered to children at Robert Wood Johnson, St. Peter's, Princeton and ...

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - South Brunswick Girl Scouts will be hosting an event to collect presents for ...

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - East Brunswick born and raised singer-songwriter, Kathleen Elle, is a semi-finalist in the Opening Act Competition to be the opener of the We Can Survive Concert at the Hollywood Bowl October 19th. This concert is headlined by Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and others! Kathleen gained recognition in the past from Seventeen Magazine, Hollister, Campus ...

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - East Brunswick born and raised singer-songwriter, Kathleen Elle, is a ...

The Patriots jumped put to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Olmo Rosario started the scoring with an RBI single, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice by Jimmy Paredes. Edwin Espinal then launched a two-run home run (7) to left field to ...

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years as a hub for the New Jersey LGBTQ community. HomeGrown Host Stephanie Willoughby spoke with Comedian & Activist Jess Alaimo about the LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere of Asbury Park. Alaimo grew up in Asbury Park, where she still lives, and has family roots here. She founded the Asbury Park Young ...

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ - C. Vivian Stringer walked into her new digs and cast her eyes toward the rafters.

When the Rutgers women's basketball coach called the new RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center "a game-changer," her words echoed throughout the cavernous practice facility sprawled out in front of her.

Stringer was joined by Rutgers President Robert Barchi, Chancellor Christopher ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ - C. Vivian Stringer walked into her new digs and cast her eyes toward the ...